Oklahoma St. Is Placed On Probation

AP

Published: January 7, 1989

STILLWATER, Okla., Jan. 6—
The National Collegiate Athletic Association today banned the Oklahoma State football team from bowl and television appearances as part of a four-year probation for recruiting violations. The N.C.A.A. warned that future infractions could result in the ''death penalty,'' which would shut down the program.

The sanctions did not faze Barry Sanders, this season's Heisman Trophy winner. ''I'll be back at Oklahoma State next year,'' said the running back, even though the Cowboys were banned from bowl games for three years and from televised games for two years.

One N.C.A.A. investigator said the penalty was the most severe since the Southern Methodist football program was shut down in 1987.

Under N.C.A.A. rules, players with three years' eligibility left - the length of the postseason ban - can transfer to other schools and not have to sit out a year.

There was speculation that Sanders, a junior, would leave the Cowboys, who finished the season at 10-2, for the National Football League. 'Millions' Can Wait

''It would be nice to sign for all those millions,'' he told students at Wichita North High School in Kansas, where he and his brother, Byron, played football. ''I'm sure you can appreciate that. That can wait.''

The penalty came three weeks after the N.C.A.A. put the University of Oklahoma on probation for three years because of recruiting violations. The Sooners cannot play in bowl games after the 1989 and 1990 seasons, will be kept off television this year and must reduce their scholarships and recruiting visits.

The N.C.A.A. Committee on Infractions found more than 40 recruiting violations at Oklahoma State, including the purchase of cars and payments made to football players by boosters.

In addition to the bowl and television bans, the committee limited to 20 the number of scholarships Oklahoma State can offer per year through 1992. Schools can usually offer 25. Recruiting visits were also restricted.

John R. Campbell, the Oklahoma State president, said the university would not appeal. He said no members of the Cowboys' current coaching staff - Pat Jones is the head coach - were involved in the violations. Jimmy Johnson, the former head coach who is now the head coach at Miami, was not accused of wrongdoing.

The committee's report warned that the so-called death penalty for repeat violators ''faces the university and its supporters in the event of any serious violation in the foreseeble future.'' Assistants and Boosters Blamed

Most of the violations found at Oklahoma State involved former assistant coaches, a former athletic department administrative assistant and at least 14 boosters. No names were mentioned in the report. Campbell said the university would not reveal any.

In 1978, the Cowboys were placed on two years' probation for similar violations. In 1979, disclosure of a ''slush fund'' prompted the school to ask the N.C.A.A. for an extension of probation to give it time to comply with N.C.A.A. legislation.

The infractions committee said the most serious finding in the current investigation involved a former assistant who became involved in a bidding war for a player.

The report said the player received $5,000 after signing his letter of intent to play at Oklahoma State and additional payments, and a car, after he enrolled.